Connecter-head support



. E. A. ROBINSON CONNECTER HE'D UAPPQRT Filed nec.17.`1s21 l 2 shun-snm.1

a ipp www ff E. A. ROBINSON coNNEcTEf'z' HEAD sUPPoRTg Filed Dec. 17.1921 z shuts-simu z fdw Ig/la" Wm ,l l f W' sPtentedLSept. 9,f 1924.

"UNrrED STATES IEUJWABD A. ROBINSON, OIF-MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA,ASSGNORDF ONE- S mier 'rir.,

- ,BIDISELF A'ND ONE-HALF TO'ELDISON EDWARD WOAN, BQTELOF MONTREAL,

CANADA.

. CONNECTER-HEAD SUPPRT.

Application iled December 17, i921. Serial No. 522,983.

The purpose of my invention is to provide.

separate spring support for thev upper and lower'portions of the head.

A further purpose is to give each separate spring support independentrockingconnec'- tion with the head. A

A further purpose is to .provide adjustment of theplane at the head byseparate 20 projection or retraction of the top and of the bottom of thehead.

A further purpose is to provide universal joints. at top and bottom oflthe head that the rocking of the head during service may 25. not vbreakcontact between parts of the head and the adjoining head.

A further purpose is to reduce shock and strain on the head by dividingthese shocks I and strains at each spring support between two springsand by partially relieving strains at each of these supports by arocking-and slidable joint. I

Further purposes will` appear in the specification and in the claims.

I'have preferred to illustrate my invention by one form only, vselectingthe `form "with a view to its value in illustrationof the. principles ofmy invention.

Figure 1 is side elevation of a connecter embodying my invention.

Figure 2 1s a broken rear end elevation of the structure seen in Figure1, showing the connection of the springs with the bracket.

Figur isa broken top plan view-ofthe structureseen in` Figure 1.

Figure fi is a fragmentary perspective of a portion of the structure ofthe head seen in Figure 1. v

Figure 5 is a broken side elevation of a modified form. i

Figure 6 is a section upon line 6--6 o Figure 5.

providing a rocking or rolling and sliding joint between each springsupport and the head.

Describing the structure shown in Figur'es 1 to 4, by -way ofillustration and not in limitation The bracket 10, in rigid connectionwith .the car, carries spring supporting clamps 11 and 12. These clampsare duplicates and are split at 13 to permit insertion of the springs 14and 15. They `are threaded to correspond approximately with the spiralsof the springs and clamp by reason of vthe fricy tion against theexteriors of the springs. I'

recognize that .the character of the clamp here is not material providedit be some device whereby the spring may be rigidly held at one or otherend. The clamp is-tightened to X the spring in position. Adjustment ofthe spring is permitted by changing l the length by the distance betweenadjoining turns, threading it longitudinall through the clamp with theclamp loosene The two springs 14:` and 15 extend forwardlv and supporttwo head carriers 16 'and As shown in Figure 3 these head carriers havesimilar reversely directed arms 18 and 19 which branch at 20 intoforwardly projectedy substantially parallel yokes having opposite sides21, 22 respectivelyconnected by terminals 23, 24. l'lhese terminals mateand cooperate with reversely shaped surfaces 25, 26 upon the rear of thehead 27 to form sliding, rocking or universal joints between thecarriers and the heads. These cooperating joint members may be of suchwedge-shaped, conical or curved section upon their meeting faces as bestsuits the particular purpose in mind.v Thus in Figure 1 a V-shaped wedgeis shown, whic i., however, may be conical where sliding and retractionfrom tilting in any direction is contemplated. Vertical or horizontalsliding or tilting movements alone would be useful where, as permissibleunder my invention, the arms 18 and 19 connect with a single clamp'suchas 16 or 17 united with a bracket by a single spring, or with any otherconstruction in which the arms 18 and 19 are rigid with each other.

Where various tilting and rocking move. ments are to be accommodated togive as great iiexibility as possible with some sliding of the parts,spherical or cylindrical contours also can be used, as in Figure 5, forthe two connections from arms 18 and 19 to the head. The forms shown inFigures 1 and 5 are both better suited to and V'giveniuch better resultswithrelative movement of the arms 19 and 20, and particularly withindependent spring support of these arms than where vthe arms are rigidwith each other, as would'be the case if united to a single clamplimiting the advantage to sliding movement or to sliding and tiltingwith respect to the plane unitinthe joints.

ither, of the parts of the pair may carry the projection and the otherthe recess, and the space for the joint'may be secured b differentformations of the head or by si e extension of the head at 28', 29(Figure 6), if desired, instead of by the end extensions of 28 and 29shown.

In Figures 1 and 5 the head 30 is 'intended to be shown generically. Itcarries any suitable ears 31 and tube and gasket constructionforjuniting the several Huid conduits of one car with those of another.These tubes have shown generically at 32 as suitable for passengertraic. If used for `freight. traic there will probably be, but one ortwo yot these fluid conduits.

The wedge I.'iorm of universal joint is best illustrated in Figures 3and 4 where the head extension 28 or 29 and carrier terminals 23 and 24are resiliently held together by the bolt 33 and spring 34. The boltlits loosely through the terminal .and passes through the preferablyconical spring 34 to a combined nut and washer 36 thus pressing togetherthe two parts of the joint. The spring34 fits in a recess 37 in theter-V minal to maintain this end in place. Relative tilting or slidingbetween the parts of the 'oint `1s provided for by a temporary yiel inin the spring and by the loose tit of the elt withinthe terminal.

Where one direction only of yield is de- Sired-vertical in Figure 1, theV-shaped Y wedges will serve Ias they will slide for actual verticalmovement between them' and will rock about the edges of the terminal inresponse to tilting strains in either vertical or horizontal planes.However the retrective operation of the wed acts across the wedge only.appreciatet at with very much less advantage these members may be fiat,and not wedge shped, spherical or con-` position ywhen de- Y broughtabout by above. Continuous jars of service will aid inovercomin frictionbetween the 'flat surfaces and wil automatically center the parts tonormal position.

With tapered, conical, or spherical forms alike, the surfaces definingthe side walls of the recess become wedges, such asy 38 and 39 (Figure4), on which the matin side walls of the projection will slidetofrelieve any serious lateral strain upon the head. This will cause thewedge surfaces of the projection, such as 40 or 41 with the constructionseen in Figure 4, or any art of the conical or spherical surface, un erlike circumstances, to climb the wedge face of the recess permittingshifting of the head as well as separating the parts longitudinally ofthe bolt.

lfVhen the parts are in normal position, tilting can take place betweenthe individual terminals 23, 24 and the head about the limit-- ing edgesof the terminals. Where these limiting edges' are rectangular, asrepresented by the edges 42 and 43 in Figure 4 and by the edges parallelto them,`ie tendency will be to tilt .about one or other of these edges.

Though circular edges within the plane of the edges 42 and 43\ wouldgiveready tilting without regard to the directionof strain, I prefer therectangular shape for these terminals because Athe strains chieiiy to beaccommodated are in vertical and horizontal planes.

It will be evident that tilting of the -te'rminals in the direction ofany given vertical or side movement of the head, such as tilting aboutthe upper edges of the terminals after upward sliding vertical mo-vementof the head, takes place about a shorter radius than when the parts arein the position shown in Figure 1. This is true because .thatwedgeelement, parallel to the apex of the wedge, passing through somesuch point as 41 would then be restinr against the upper limiting theedge 44 o thewedge seat and the lines ofengagement both in the head andin the terminal would lie closer to the bolt than with the positionofthe parts as shown in Figure 1.

The split clamps 12 of the carriers 16 and 17 are like the clamps at 11and 12. In Figure 1 the/bolt lugs of 11 and 12 are shown horizontalwhile those of 16 and 17 are shown vertical. Other means than threadedsplit clamps might be used, and other forms of resilient support for thecarriers can be Aused to provide for independence of movement.

In operation, the ears of the head interit with corresponding ears onthe head o f a connecter upon an adjoining car, making gasketed unionbetween the Huid conduits,

lliU

ment with its fellow- Strains due to ver-` tical andlateral lack ofalignment are relieved partially by the joints between the heads and the-carriers where both rocking and sliding movements can take place.

In the form shown in Figures 5 and 6 the two carriers 16 and 17 arerigid with arms 18 and 19 respectively but these arms are not divided asin the precedingv form. At their ends the arms support laterally 'eX-tending terminals 23 and 24 which coact with extensions 28 and 29respectively at the sides of the heads.

It will be noted from the illustration in Figures 5 that the engagingsurfaces of the being seen in curved line 45, as distingulshed4 membersare spherical, an arc of the s here from the triangular engagement shownin Figure l. Evidently various forms of construction could be made tocarry out the purpose here as in other parts of the invention. Where butone carrier is to be used to support both arms of this figure thesurfaces would be wedges or cylinders.

From my description various forms of the invention will be obvious tothose skilled in the art, to suit particular installations or thepreference of the designer and; it is my purpose to includel herein allsuch come within the reasonable spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is l. In an automatic train pipe connecter, ahead, a carrier therefor, a V-and-wedge joint between the head andcarrier, a tiebolt therethrough, and a spring surrounding the bolt andthereby held to theI head and pressing the head and carrier ltogether atthe joint.

2. 'In an automatic connecter, a head bracket adapted for engagementwith a fined train part and having a pair of securin devices connectedtherewith, springs fastene to, said securing devices, a pair ofcarriers, one secured to the end of each of said springs, aheadsupported jby the carriers, and movable connection between each ofsaid carriers and the head'.

3. In a train pipe connecter a bracket secured Vto a fixed train partand having two attaching devices thereon, a pair, of s rings, onesecured by'each of said attaching evices, a pair of carriers, onemounted upon .each

of said springs at the opposite end thereof,

a head supported by the said carriers and a rocking joint connectionbetween each of the carriers and the head.

4. In a train pipe connecter a bracket adapted for attachment to a fixedtrain part, a pair of springs one above the other, each connected at oneend with said bracket, a pair said head engaging of carriers, oneconnected to theopposite end of each of said springs, a head supportedby said carriers andspring-held connection joints between the head `andthe carriers affording movement therebetween.

5. In a train pipe connecter, a bracket, a plurality of springsindependently supported from said bracket, ya plurality of carriers, onesupported by each spring, a head and spring retained connection betweenthe head and carriers allowin angular movement between them, retractedby the springs.

6. In a train pipe connecter, a head, a plurality of independentlymovable supports therefor and 'connections between the suports and thehead comprising springs bearing against the supports and bolts passingthrough the springs and supports and permitting the supports to rockupon the head, against the pressure of the springs.

7. In a train pipe connecter, a head, a

plurality of independently movable supports 'thereof variations 1ncharacter and form as may 8. In a train pi e connecter, a head, aplurality of independently movable supports therefor and connectionsbetween the supports and the head comprising yokes upon the supports,blocks having V-shaped exterior surfaces carried by the yokes,cooperating contacts upon the head, one mating with each such V-shapedsurface, bolts passing through the head and terminal blocks and springscompressed by the bolts lying between the yoke members and bearing'against the supports within the yokes to maintain contact between thesupports and head.

9. In a Amount for automatic train co necter heads, a head having aV-shaped,

rearwardly facing rear portion adjacent each end of the head andsupporting means for v these end portions of the head and held 1nengagement therewith by spring compression.

10. In a mount for automatic connecter hads, a head having a V-shaped,rearwardly facing rear portion adjacent each end of the head andsupporting means for said head, comprising a bracket, supports carriedby the bracket, terminals of said supports cooperating with the head andadapted to rock thereon, springs bearing upon the rear ofsaid'terminals, and bolts passing through the springs and compressingthem against said terminals to cause retraction of the terminals againstthe head after rockingmovement has taken place.

11. In a mount for automatic`train connector'j heads, a head having aV-shaped rearwardly facing rear portion adjacent each end of the headand supporting means comprising a bracket and independentl resilientlyconnected carriers for said cad engaging the head at opposite endsthereof andl sprlng-and-bolt retractive devices for these connections.

12. In a mount for automatic train connecter heads, a head having aV-shaped rearwardly-facing rear portion adjacent each end of the headand supporting means for said head comprising 'a bracket, separatesprings connected with said bracket, and connections between the springsand the rear portions of the head. y

13. In a mount for automatic train connecter heads, a head havin aV-shaped rearwardly-facing portion adjacent each end of the head andsupporting means for said head comprising a bracket, separate springsconnected with said bracket, and connections between the springs and endportions ofthe head adapted to rock with respect to said head.

14. In a mount for automatic train connecter heads, a head having aV-shaped rearwardly-facing rear portion adjacent each end of the head'and supporting meansfor said head comprising a bracket having aplurality of split clamps, sprin s threaded into said split clamps andheld t erein, carriers mounted upon the opposite ends of said springsand connections between the carriers and the head. j

15. In a mount for automatic train connecter heads, a head having aV-shaped rearwardly-facing `rear portion adjacent each end of the headand sup orting means for said head comprising a racket having a luralityof-split clamps, sprin s threaded into the split clamps and held terein, carriers mounted u on the opposite ends of Y'said springs an-rocking connections loe-l 'tween .the carriers and the head.

16. In a mount for automatic train connecter heads, a head having aV-shaped rearwardly-facing rear portion adjacent each end of the headand supporting means for said head com rising a bracket having aplurality of sp it clamps, sprinfrs threaded into the split clamps Vandheld therein, car- Y [riers mounted u on theopposite ends 'of f saidsprings an fwed e connections oetween the carriers and spring retractedslidable ead. 17. In a mount for automatic train c'onnecter heads, ahead having a V-shaped rear? wardly-acing rear portion adjacent each endof the head and supporting means for `said head com rising a brackethavin a plurality of sp it clamps, sprin s threa ed into the splitclamps and held t erein, carn i. riers mounted -upon the opposite endsof 05" said springs and cylindrica spring retractntomas? ed connectionbetweenl the carriers and the` 19. AIn a mount for automatictrainconnecter'heads, a head having a V-shaped rearwardly-facing rear portionadjacent each end of the head and supporting means for said head comrising a bracket having a plurality of sp it clamps, sprin threaded intothe split clamps and held vt erein, carriers mounted upon the oppositeends of said springs and spring-retracted connections between thecarriers and the head. 20. In an automatic train pipe connecter abracket and head and connections between the upper and lower parts ofsaid head and the bracket including separate springs sustaining theentire welght4 of the head. g 21. A train pipe connecter` comprisi abracket, a pair o s aced springs connectr therewith at one en ahead andseparate spaced carriers fotszthe head, one connected separate springconnections between the carriers an bracket.

23.' In an automatic connecter, a head, carriers therefor havingwedge-faced connection' with the head, springs and bolts resilieutlyuniting the carriers to the head, a bracket and s rin support for saidcarriers from said. rac et. j 24. In an automatic train connecter, aconnecter head, carrier terminalsv havin wedge-faced e agement with saidhea springs and bo ts resiliently holding the terminals against thehead, a bracket and connections between the carrier, terminals and thebracket resiliently supporting the terminals. A25. In an automatic trainpipe connecter, a connecter head, carrier terminals havin wedge-facedengagement with said hea sprin and bolts resiliently holding the ter-'mina a ainst'the head, a bracket and con nections tween the carrierterminals and the bracket, resilientl supporting the terminals, theterminals eing adapted to slide with respect to the head.

26. In. an. automatic train ccnnecter, a connecter head, carrierterminals having lio wedge-faced engagement with said head, sprins andbolts resiliently holding the termina against the head, andabracketresiliently supporting the terminals, the terminals beingadapted to slide with Arespect to the head and to rock thereon.

27. In an automatic train pipe connecter, a head having wedge-shapedspaced rear faces, a pair of carriers having cooperatingwedige-shapedfaces engaging t e rear of the hea springs engagin thecarriers from the rear, bolts passing trough the head and springs tonormall hold the cooperatin wedge-shaped faces 1n Contact, a .bracket anindependent mounts for the carriers from the bracket. v A

'28. In an automatic train pipe connecter, a head havin wedge-shapedspaced rear faces, a pair o carriers having cooperating 'wedge-shapedfaces engaging the rear of' the head, s rings engaging the carriers fromthe rear, and springs to normally holdv t e cooperatmg wedge-shapedfaces in contact, a bracket' l and sup orting springs for the carriersengagng t e bracket.

p EDWARD A. ROBINSON.

o1ts passing throu h the head

